Speaking of dates.. - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Phunchaser · 10-28-2004, 10:39 AM

Is anyone else scheduled for November 2nd? I would love to have a pod mate! Is or was anyone as emotional, kind of scared as I am?

Sue

Soon to be a loser too

Americanwoman397 · 10-28-2004, 10:45 AM

Yes I sure was. I was crying for like the whole month before. I was telling everyone bye and going nuts...LOL So you are normal.

Just remember you will be fine and pull through this. If you would like I would love to come see you at the hospital. I'll just need your last name?

Christina · 10-28-2004, 11:49 AM

**I don't know why I kept this but here it is anyway.. This was something I posted on the old forum before I went in for surgery. Hope this helps to show you what was going through my mind at the time of approval.**

It's funny how many things have happened since I began this
process. In the beginning I was a completely different person with
a different view of the surgery. I guess in the back of my mind I
never really thought the day would come when I would actually be
having surgery.. When I began this process I was just anxious to
get it over with. I started out thinking that the process was
entirely too long and unreasonable. Of course most of us probably
got very frustrated with it. When I got approved for the consult I
was miffed that I would have to wait a whole three months for the
educational seminar. I mean the nerve!! LOL Of course I guess I
was lucky because we had all the holidays including Halloween,
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years and lets not forget those
freightful fires to keep me distracted as well having my deviated
septum fixed on December 11th and healing from that. Two days
before the Educational Seminar my favorite Uncle Passed away. I
almost didn't go to the seminar. It was very difficult to pick myself out of my
misery long enough to attend. Looking back from that point it
wasn't that long at all. The time flew by and gave me plenty of
opportunity to really research the surgery, risks, benefits, and
outcomes good and bad. I became very educated and started attending
support groups at Juliannas. I even had the opportunity to meet a
lot of Dr. Callery's and Dr. Potts patients through support groups
and in the hospital while visiting newly post ops. It was a great
experience to meet all of them. I also had time to work out and get
in better shape for my surgery. Of course I didn't lose anything ..
but I didn't gain either. Then after my educational seminar.. WOA..
it went fast. The next day I hand delivered all my paperwork which
was good because they gave me my consult date right there. After my
consult I got a lot of tests done that day, then for some I had to
struggle to get them done. The Psych eval was my last test and it was a pain to get approved. Then when I went into the
pile it seems so surreal like I knew I was in the dictation pile but
I guess even after all of the heartache getting my tests done,
spilling my heart at support groups, and on the essay, coming to
terms with my own demons with feeling as if I had to finally admit I
was a failure at trying to lose weight the "normal way" and going to
Insurance.. the last six months seemed like a long wait (which is
much shorter then most so not complaining by any means) but it all
came down to two words spoken by Leslie "You're Approved" Those
words meant more to me then the sweat and tears I put into getting
all my ducks in a row. I was eager to get the surgery done, don't
get me wrong, but I didn't push much.. I let it happen. And it
did!!! I did push for the psych eval and in that case I had no
choice because the insurance company and medical group didn't
communicate with each other about it. I called Dr. Callery's office
on Wednesdays only!! I called the Medical Group more often then
that.. lol But in all seriousness.. it only got real when I got
sent to insurance.. and I barely had time to let it sink in when two
days later Leslie called and told me I was approved and they wanted
me in pre-op the next day!!! This has been a whirlwind of emotions
and one hell of a ride.. and I know that the ride is just
beginning. But I guess what I am really trying to say is DON'T RUSH
THINGS.. They will happen.. and they may reach up and smack you into
reality once in a while... Seriously cherish these moments and hold
them close.. I know it's easy to say and difficult to hear.. but
your life is about to change so dramatically .. hold close what you
hold dear and just really appreciate what you have and love. You're
time WILL come thats not the question.. don't force things to happen
just because you want them NOW. Everyone wants surgery NOW but when
NOW comes.. let me tell ya.. you wish you had a few more days.. Thanks to all of you who have been there for me and who
will continue to be there for me afterwards.. I love you so much!!!

Oh my time line.. here it is (Pretty much 6 months to the day
total)

09/30/2003 - Requested referral for WLS from PCP
10/13/2003 - Gave letter to PCP Re: Reason for WLS/PCP Faxed to
Insurance
10/15/2003 - APPROVED for consult with Dr. Callery
01/13/2004 - Educational Seminar
01/14/2004 - Turned in all my paperwork/ got consult date
01/19/2004 - Consult with Kelly/Did well woman check/labs
02/20/2004 - All tests complete
03/01/2004 - Went into the pile
03/23/2004 - Sent to Insurance
03/25/2004 - APPROVED for WLS
03/26/2004 - Pre-Op with Dr. Callery
03/31/2004 - Pending - Open RNY (Second Case)

As you see it doesn't take long at all.. just be patient..

Christina

Christina · 10-28-2004, 11:51 AM

Here was my final post before surgery..

Hi folks,

As you know by now I am scheduled for surgery (2nd Case) tomorrow!!! YAY!!! I am a little nervous, a little anxious, and a little numb to say the least. It still doesn't seem real to me. Oh boy do I have a huge reality check on the way huh? LOL

Anyway I wanted to again thank all of you who have answered my questions, listened to my fears, ignored my mood swings (LOL), and been there for me throughout this process. Tracie I will miss seeing you on Thursday but I do pray you have a safe trip and get some good news on the way.. I can't wait to kick your butt around those halls.. hehehe (Inside joke sorry.. lol)

Jeana & Sandi I may or may not see you on Wednesday depending on if you come or not. If you feel like it by all means.. c'mon down.. if not.. I will see you on Thursday.

Karen, Bridget, Tiffany, Jean, Jeanne, Lee, Julianna, Jeana, Tracie, Sandi, Grayce, Mindy and anyone I forgot.. sorry.. I love you guys.. you're the greatest!!! I will see you on the other side.

This will be my last "official" post before my surgery. I hope to post shortly after I get home and moving around better. My computer took a dive on me and so I won't be able to post from home, but I am sure someone will do that for me.

Well I am off to take that long journey down the yellow brick road and meet the Wizard. I have already gotten my courage, my brains, and my heart (hence I made it this far in the process).. the only thing left is my health.. thats what I am asking the wizard for.. LOL

I'm going to do great and I know it. However, in the unlikely event of a complication or some other horrible outcome please know that I would have done it all over again. I have made peace with my decision and I am willing to take whatever hand I am dealt. Nothing is going to happen though.. so I don't have to worry about that.

Take care and see some of you soon.. the rest.. well, hopefully at the Christmas party or before hand..

Love,

Christina

triciaknox · 10-28-2004, 01:30 PM

Phunchaser,

CONGRATS on your date!! I didn't know either of my pod mates till I got to the hospital, okay one of them I still don't know. He was laproscopic and went home the morning AFTER surgery (and he was 3rd up to boot). I never got to walk the halls with my other podmate, our schedules just didn't jive. When she was up to walk I had just walked or had company or had had my IV pop out or something. You will do great though!!!

Phunchaser · 10-28-2004, 08:42 PM

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement kids! I love you all.

Sue

Red Feather · 10-29-2004, 01:50 PM

It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday - I would have loved to talk to you, but as you could see I had my hands full LOL! We were so silly -
I wish you all the best, and will see you on "the other side!" Loser!!!!!

Phunchaser · 10-29-2004, 09:03 PM

Nice to meet you also Cherie...see you next week at the Pomerado Hilton!

Sue

Butterfly · 10-30-2004, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina

Here was my final post before surgery..

Well I am off to take that long journey down the yellow brick road and meet the Wizard. I have already gotten my courage, my brains, and my heart (hence I made it this far in the process).. the only thing left is my health.. thats what I am asking the wizard for.. LOL

Christina~ ~ ~ I loved reading what you wrote just before surgery and your final post before surgery. It really puts into perspective what we all seem to go through just before surgery. It did go by fast for me as well, although I thought I was going to strangle my "therapist" because she was trying to convince me to not have the surgery. She, of course, was very thin, but claimed to be an overeater. Yeah right lady!

Anyway, just wanted to say it was very well written and heartfelt. Love you babe! Hope you're doing well!